Members of Katanning Men’s Shed down tools to listen, learn and celebrate Men’s Health Week

The Katanning Men’s Shed hosted a health and wellbeing barbecue to mark Men’s Health Week bringing guest speakers and the community together for a morning of information and celebration on Wednesday, June 14. “The men were quite impressed I think,” Katanning Men’s Shed president Ross Thomas said. “We talk a lot about men’s health in the shed but it’s always good to reinforce it.” Tom Hayes from the Regional Men’s Health Initiative, Katanning physiotherapist Lisa Stanley and Cancer Council WA’s regional education officer for the Great Southern region Bruce Beamish spoke about the health issues that many men face as they get older and provided information on how to access support services. “Regional men’s health are really good to deal with and Jane Hung from the Katanning hospital did a great job organising Bruce and Lisa Stanley to come down,” Mr Thomas said. Ms Stanley’s talk focused on Parkinson’s disease providing tips for those living with the condition and finishing with a balance exercise that saw the audience rise from their seats to participate. The necessity of exercise was extolled by all speakers along with the importance of maintaining wellbeing and connection, something that is at the fore of the men’s shed movement. “I would have liked to have seen more people from the community come along, men and their partners,” Mr Thomas said. “One thing we’ve had before is that people seem to think that if you’re in the men’s shed all you do is get on the booze, a few years back we were told that but we don’t allow alcohol or smoking in the shed.” The morning talks were followed by a barbecue lunch and refreshments giving those who attended the chance to continue the conversation. The Katanning Men’s Shed is open from 9am-noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and anyone interested in joining is welcome to drop in or call Mr Thomas on 0457 965 839 for more information.